Australia wants a deep, strong and trusted partnership with India, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday, emphasising that Canberra does not support tariffs and remains committed to the post-war open trading order that it believes fuels growth.
Wong made clear that Australia’s stance on tariffs in the context of US-India friction is straightforward: we don’t support tariffs. She argued that openness to trade has long underpinned Australia’s economic development, noting that its economy has grown through trading with the world.
As a fellow ally of the United States and a participant in the Quad, Wong underscored Australia’s support for dialogue and shared objectives in the Indo-Pacific. She said Australia values the Quad—comprising India, the United States, Japan and Australia—not merely as a strategic framework but as a grouping with concrete, shared goals for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region where sovereignty is respected.
On India’s relations with China, Wong acknowledged Beijing’s status as a major power and its pursuit of its own interests. She stressed that while there will be differences in the relationship, there are areas of cooperation as well, and that mature engagement guided by national interests should prevail. She also suggested that India seeks a similar approach, highlighting the alignment in how both countries manage complexity in regional affairs.
Wong highlighted the strong personal and policy ties with India, noting that she has met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar more than any other counterpart, reflecting the priority Australia places on the bilateral relationship. She described Australia as a reliable and stable partner that shares India’s regional objectives: a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific in which sovereignty is respected.
There are many areas of strategic alignment between the two countries, Wong said, pointing to the presence of a large Indian diaspora as a bridge between them. Regarding differences within the Quad, she reiterated Australia’s commitment to the group and to working through bilateral channels on issues, while reminding that shared objectives in the Indo-Pacific remain a unifying factor.
On the bilateral front, Wong recalled the periodic Quad and Modi-Albanese meetings and stressed Australia’s intent to keep expanding cooperation across the full spectrum of their relationship. “We want a deep, strong and trusted partnership with you,” she told Indian journalists, adding that both nations are navigating a reshaping global and regional order and have a responsibility to influence that reshaping in ways that reflect common values and interests.
Turning to education and visa policies, Wong acknowledged Australia’s role as a destination for international education. She said international students are a vital part of Australia’s economy and bilateral relations, and noted reforms aimed at improving education quality and stabilising student numbers after a spike during the Covid era. She also shared a personal link, recalling that her father was a Colombo Plan scholar to Australia, underscoring the long-standing value of educational exchanges.
On security and counter-terrorism, Wong said Australia supported India after the Pahalgam terror attack, commending the ceasefire and efforts to promote peace and stability while countering terrorism.
The reporter was in Australia at the invitation of the Australian Foreign Ministry, a lens Wong used to frame the bilateral relationship as a timely and important partnership in a rapidly changing global and regional order.
Summary
– Australia seeks a deep, strong, and trusted partnership with India and does not support tariffs.
– The two countries see strategic alignment in the Indo-Pacific and support the Quad as a framework for shared objectives.
– Wong emphasises dialogue with China despite inevitable differences and highlights ongoing bilateral engagement with India.
– Education exchanges and visa policy reforms are part of the economic relationship, with personal ties underscoring long-standing connections.
– Australia supports India on security issues, including counter-terrorism, following recent attacks.
Analysis and outlook
The remarks reinforce a forward-looking, multipolar approach in regional security and economic policy, with Australia positioning itself as a reliable partner to India amidst shifting global trade dynamics. If both countries sustain high-level dialogue and concrete cooperation across trade, security, and people-to-people ties, the partnership could deepen further and contribute to regional stability and growth. Positive momentum will likely hinge on continued practical cooperation under the Quad umbrella and ongoing efforts to balance relations with China through constructive engagement.